Overview

• Flagg is expected to be selected first overall by Dallas on June 25 after averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game in his freshman season at Duke.
• LeBron James predicted on his podcast that Flagg’s versatility and basketball IQ will make him a force alongside veterans like Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving.
• Kyrie Irving tore his ACL in March and is not expected back until January 2026, leaving the Mavericks reliant on new and existing talent during his absence.
• Dallas traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February in exchange for Anthony Davis, who has also dealt with multiple injuries this season.
• Flagg enters a Western Conference projected to be fiercely competitive after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship run and upgrades by the Timberwolves and Rockets.